‘Can they always trust you?’
‘Not quite so well as we can them. However, we get on very well together, except Mikailia and her husband; but Mikailia is a cripple, and is married to the beauty of the world, so she may be expected to be jealous—though he would not part with her for a duchess, no more than I would part with my rawnie, [62a] nor any other chal with his.’
‘Ay, but would not the chi part with the chal for a duke, Jasper?’
‘My Pakomovna gave up the duke for me, brother.’
‘But she occasionally talks of him, Jasper.’
‘Yes, brother, but Pakomovna was born on a common not far from the sign of the gammon.’
‘Gammon of bacon, I suppose.’
‘Yes, brother; but gammon likewise means—’
‘I know it does, Jasper; it means fun, ridicule, jest; it is an ancient Norse word, and is found in the Edda.’
‘Lor’, brother! how learned in lils you are!’